History-- Women Who Shoot -- fotoMuses 


Sher Holmen and Judy Kinal started the fotoMuses by inviting some of the COD photo friends to join together at Sher’s home in Wheaton to talk about photography. We all felt that there was no opportunity to discuss our work, classes, etc. since when we would bring up the subject with family and friends, no one was interested. Why not form a ladies group to discuss photography? It was as simple as that... no real plans or format… just discuss anything about photography, invite speakers, have workshops related to photography and have lunch, of course. As we evolved, more organization became necessary and the agenda grew to include "Show and Tell", “Photo Exchange”, gallery visits, and exhibitions.

We met for the first time in the Spring of 1999. Women Who Shoot became the fotoMuses in April of 2001. We had ten charter members: Noriko Buckles, Sue Durante, Delta Greene, Sharon Huck, Sher Holmen, Judy Kinal, Karen Loffing, Sue Mazeika, Dawn Munro, and Marta Witte. Over the years, members have come and gone for various reasons. Noriko Buckles, Delta Greene, and
Judy Kinal are still active members.

 We now have a total of fourteen members:

Joanne Barsanti, Marita Blanken, Diane Bruno, Noriko Buckles, Aline Fetter,

Anne Frantzen, Delta Greene, Janice Henry,  Joan Kalmanek, Judy Kinal,

Deborah Kolek, Linda Markese, Marje Reichart, and Elizabeth Smartt.